---a fall month that gives us Thanksgiving, a special time to pause with family and friends to give thanks for all that God has provided.
Lest we forget, we pause from time to time and turn the pages of this newsletter to remember past thrills, pleasant times, hometown places and dear old friends.
WI SPORTS
Remember football Friday nights?
The above is from the big game between WI and Victory on November 11, 1954. I was there. My brother was on the team so I know I was there! Were you?
The big line up for the WI team
The 1954 WI football squad
WI WON 26 TO VICTORY 0
EDITOR'S NOTE: Many thanks to Freddie Layman (VHS '46) for the program and many other things he has sent to me.
TRIVIA ANSWERS FROM THE SEPTEMBER QUESTIONS.
1. Reynolds Bus Lines and Greyhound Bus Lines--2 long haul bus lines in Clarksburg in the 50's.
2. Trapper Mack Rollins was the 4-7 PM disc jockey during the same time.
3. Dodge Dealer in Clarksburg was Peck Auto Company.
I am now out of trivia questions for the newsletter. Do you have some you can contributed? Write to Roleta1@aol.com. Thank you for helping keep this newsletter alive!
Greetings Roleta: Enjoyed your October news letter. Your trivia questions I'm familiar with except the disc jockey as living on a farm and working at the courthouse I just didn't have too much time to listen to a radio.
The Dodge dealer in question was Peck Auto, 838 W. Pike Street, operated and owned by Rupert Peck... Opened in 1928-Closed 1964
The bus lines were or should have been either Atlantic Greyhound and/or Capitol Greyhound and the Blue Ridge Lines. If I remember right Atlantic Greyhound covered the East Coast out of Clarksburg and Capitol Greyhound covered the entire U.S.A. out of Clarksburg.
The Blue Ridge Lines ran a daily run to Pittsburgh. One of the main drivers was John Miller, a football stand out for Victory.
We also had a West Virginia Transportation Bus Line that operated out of Clarksburg and traveled what we called the short line to New Martinsville area.
Another bus line in that era was Reynolds Transportation that left Clarksburg and made runs to Buckhannon and maybe Elkins?? One of the drivers, another Victory graduate, was Paul Ellison, who helped form the Harrison County Emergency Squad.
As you may well remember City Lines of West Virginia covered Harrison county and also traveled to Fairmont from the Clarksburg Bus Terminal. They took over the street car route when they were discontinued in April, 1947.
The only thing left today that stops in Clarksburg is Greyhound and Lake Front Lines which is also owned by Greyhound. So far I think their schedule today is 10:00 a.m., 12:00 Noon and 2:00 p.m. I might add they are not allowed to load in the bus terminal. The buses must load in front of the terminal on 4th street in all kinds of weather. This has been in effect for at least the past two years. I heard it may have been because of a dispute in paying a terminal fee. By PSC standards they have to still serve our area. Have a good October.
Clarksburg Bus Terminal
TRIVIA PICTURE
I guess many of you didn't know that the mystery picture was St. Mary's Hospital front entry.
I have printed a couple of interesting letters concerning the Trivia picture of last month.
I have really bombed out on the regular trivia questions - I'm sure I grew up in Clarksburg, but sure can't remember much.
But I do recognize the St. Mary's Hospital (may she rest in peace), the front side on Chestnut Street. I think the site is now a drive-in bank. I was born there as was my sister and I visited four other times - once for tonsils and three bouts of pneumonia when I was small.
VERY NICE issue.
My guess is that the picture in the SITE TRIVIA area is St. Mary's Hospital on Chestnut Street.
I am glad that Richard Underwood found you as I was not able to find him in my BRIEF search. I am still willing to help you find other people that you have on your list of missing. Just let me know. I do enjoy what I went through in finding the people that were originally missing from my class of 1961.
Many thanks to Judy for removing the border from each issue. I was changing my printer setup to get all of the newsletter to print, as I always try to send my mother a copy of your newsletter, since she is still in Clarksburg. She MAY be surprised about the article regarding the WALDO. Good idea.
I had gotten an E-mail earlier regarding Sam Ellis' wife and was hoping that she would be found. SO SAD that so many innocent people had to suffer through this tragic time. I was on my way in to Washington, D.C. for a 10:00 a.m. meeting at the time that the Pentagon was struck. I was about 5 miles away from the site and could see the heavy black smoke coming from that area. I had received a phone call from my wife on my cell phone telling me that the Pentagon had been struck, so I told the driver that was taking me in for my meeting to turn around. My meeting was at 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue, 2 blocks from the White House and the old Executive House. We heard on the radio that the old Executive House and State Department had happenings going on as well, but thankfully these turned out to be just rumors. On top of this same-day situation, I had flown out of Dulles Airport on Thursday evening, September 6th, and flown back in to Dulles Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m., 37 hours before the plane was hijacked from that airport. SCARY, thinking that I was that close to being somewhere that close to the time of the hijacking.
Take care and keep up the good work. The newsletter is VERY interesting and I hope to be able to contribute to it over the months to come. I am working on a WIHS 1961 web site so that I can keep the class of '61 in touch with each other.
Thanks,
John
TRIVIA PICTURE
I heard from only about 20 people who could correctly guess the picture. I hope more of you will play our game this month....It isn't hard...click on my address which is underlined here (computer language--a hyperlink) Roleta1@aol.com. As soon as you click on the hyperlink a letter form should appear on your screen with my address in place---just type me a letter and guess the name of the building in the picture..then click on SEND TO: ...see how you do!
Now for the month of November the trivia picture is????
I also put in a larger version in 3 sections. It is pretty clear and the faces are large enough to recognize. I found Marsha Woods, Vince, Anthony, Janet Long, Chuck Burkhammer, Sally Moshein, Jim Martin and many others.
Hope you enjoy it.
DID YOU KNOW?
A WEST VIRGINIA FACT
The only person from West Virginia to run for president (so far) was John W. Davis of Clarksburg. He ran against Calvin Coolidge in 1924.
BIRTHDAYS
Do you have a birthday? Of course you do---even little hatched eggs have a birthday. We would like to publish your birthdate in our newsletter. You might be surprised who you will hear from on your birthday! So send your birthdate to Roleta1@aol.com or cias@iolinc.net.
All of you people with birthdates, it is easy, just sit right there---don't even move---click on either Gary's or my e-mail address and send us your name and birthdate! For all of you without birthdates, I am really amazed you can sit at a computer and read! Immediately get in touch with one of us as I want to put you on tour!
The annual winter picnic will be held in Sarasota, Florida on Saturday, March 2, 2002 from noon to 4:00 PM or whenever! So mark your calendars and make your plans now!
The picnic will be held at TWIN LAKES PARK . The picnic tables are under roof (out of the sun) and beside a lovely lake. This is a beautiful area and is wheelchair friendly. There are sidewalks to the pavilion. Restrooms are very close. The pavilion will hold about 250 so we have plenty of room! The area is private with plenty of trees beside a nice lake. There is a 1/2 mile walking path, horseshoe pitching, volleyball and even fishing (with proper license). Alcohol is permitted---no glass containers. It will be a covered dish picnic with a collection made to cover pavilion rental, cost of the meat, bread and picnic supplies. There is plenty of parking available unlike last year at the beach. The park is located only about 1/2 mile east of I-75. More information and directions at a later date! This is only the first notice!!!!
Tell your friends, pass the word....WI, Victory, ND or RW welcome!
I always loved helping my Mother make Thanksgiving dinner. Just knowing that shortly I would be enjoying her wonderful pumpkin pies made my mouth water. She used this recipe for years but, like a lot of people, once the "Mrs Smith Pumpkin Pies" came out she quit making her own. I recently found her recipe and thought I would share it with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Pumpkin Pie (makes 1 9in. pie)
2 slightly beaten eggs
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
1 C sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 2/3 C (1 tall can) undiluted evaporated milk
9 in unbaked pie shell
Combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar, salt and the spices. Gradually add evaporated milk. Mix well. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake in hot oven (425 deg F) for 15 mins. Reduce to moderate heat (325 deg F) and continue baking for about 40 mins. or until knife inserted near center of pie comes out clean. Cool before serving.
I always added a little whipped cream to the top. Yum!!! Yum!!!
When I read the article from Boo Beall about his hobby of restoring that nice boat, I thought I would send you a story about a hobby of mine. As some of you might recall, we had a group of "MOTOR-HEADS" in WI. The motor sport was picking up steam in our little town. This was all fired up by the national coverage in magazines. We used to hide those magazines in our text books and read during class. (I should have been paying attention!) I was hooked on the sport. Some in my group were Gary Carpenter, Dean Henry, Billy Zahnizer, Larry Layman, Jimmy White. I had a '40 Ford which was flame painted in the front and rear and was considered quite bizarre for the time. My parents thought I was bizarre for wanting to do such things to the "40". We had a few guys who were lucky enough to buy finished cars, while others built them. A few older guys with finished cars started a car club in town which they called the "CENTIPEDES". Their logo was a
bug with lots of legs---strange but true. I remember Pooter Clovis, Dave Cunningham and Nickie Alvaro were members (I think) but other names escape me.
We younger guys started a club of our own called the "CRANKS". We had 6 or 7 members. We actually had meetings and a lot of fun fooling around with our cars. It was a great time to be growing up as this scene was repeated throughout many towns across the USA.
The idea was to "cruise" around at night with the "cool" cars and "PROFILE". Just showing off our car to anyone who would give us a glance. We loved to cruise our rides to the Ellis Drive-In as well as Wilson's Parkett and other hangouts in nearby towns.
We had a real ball with our cars. Strange thing, while we were all trying to be different with our cars, we all became the same. But that seems to be the way it goes. I spent every spare dollar I could put together on the car!
I watched some artists in Clarksburg ply their talents. Tony Alvaro, who owned "Tony's Body", was a very determined and talented man. His son, Nicky, was also very talented and the envy of every hot rodder in Clarksburg. His father helped him with his cars and made him the "TOP DOG" of the car scene.
I made some progress with my interest in custom and hot rodding. I met Tony Oliveto who was a very talented man. He gave me the information on the things he had learned in California where this hobby had been going on for years.
I even put a Chevy engine in the old "40" which was a big thing in the mid '50s.
Thus I was hooked for life.
Moving on to my years in New Jersey, I had lots of cars and we (the wife helped) finished up our best effort in the early 60's. A 32 Ford Roadster which was a real super nice street rod. By then I had learned a thing a lot about the restoring of autos. I had learned how to do many of the things needed to be done to finish these projects such as welding, painting, body work and prep----all those things which became my hobby/job and took most of my time.
So without writing a book, let's fast forward to my obsession finding old Barris California built cars. Right now I am working on the most famous Barris Kuston called the "AZTEC" , which was a dream concept when the 1955 Chevy was built. The owner of the car was from Huntington WV. This fact made it sort of special in my heart. As the stories unfold about the history of ownership of some of these cars come to light, it becomes so interesting as fact is stranger than fiction. The "AZTEC" was twice taken by the federal government and auctioned. One owner murdered a bank guard to get money to buy cars and other stories are just as strange.
I have sort of retired from the building/showing part of the sport as of late. I had operated my own little shop for years before moving to Florida. Although I want to build another car. What one? I am not sure yet, but someday! I have the Aztec here in southern Florida but I just keep it like an art object. It really is art. American auto art in it's finest hour. Nothing ever like it will happen again!
Barry and his prize "The BARRIS AZTEC" presently in Florida. The Aztec is a '55 Chevy which was built by George Barris in 1955. The brand new car was a "DREAM" concept and was called the $20,000.00 dream Chevy. It was shown in over 100 dealerships on the west coast. Both of these cars were totally destroyed when Barry bought them. Everything needed redone and replaced.
This is a very rare 1941 Buick Roadmaster custom built by George Barris in the late 1940's. It is one of a very few of these cars that exists today. Barry restored the car in his garage doing everything but paint, chrome and interior. It had a 1949 cadillac engine with a hydro and was just as it was in 1950. Even more exciting for Barry is the fact that he found the original owner who now lives in the Washington D.C. area. Barry and the original owner got together after the restoration so the original owner could see the car that he drove from California all those years ago.
HUNTING FOR 1962 CLASMATES
submitted by:Dave Kuhl WI '62
The WI Class of 62 would appreciate any help locating the following individuals:
1. Roger Bowen - Michigan?
2. Eddie Brown
3. Brenda Burroughs
4. Raymond Carter
5. Esther Charcandy Cavendish - Michigan?
6. Gene Colin
7. Carolyn Cornell
8. John Davis
9. Mark Frum
10. James Glascock - was in New York
11. Allen Harvey
12. Vance Ice
13. Jeff Marks - Boston?
14. Gary Norris..Buchannon Ave, brother died June 01, mother living
15. George Posey
16. Mike Sturms
17. David Keith Roach
18. Frankie Wiseman Gregory - Webster Springs?
Please pass on any information concerning these individuals to:
Dave Kuhl
210 Glen Eagles Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564-9041
This covered bridge is one of the two remaining in Harrison County. The original bridge was washed out in 1889 and was relocated 5 miles to its present site. The bridge is named for John Simpson, a well know peddler and Indian trader. From I-79 Exit 121, take secondary 24 approximately two tenths of a mile, just past the mall entrance.
FLETCHER COVERED BRIDGE
This bridge is one of two remaining covered bridges in the county. Named for the Fletcher family who still have members living nearby, the bridge was built in 1891 with stone abutments quarried about 100 feet from the west end of the bridge. From I-79 exit 119, take US 50 west past Clarksburg to Marshville exit. Turn right onto secondary 5 and proceed north to secondary 5/29, then continue 6 tenths of a mile to the bridge.
This information copied from the Visitors Guide to Harrison County, West Virginia.
We finally got moved to Fort Myers. We both had to get healthy first and that has been accomplished.
Clara has gone through a lot and little does she know what all, thank goodness. Every day I see more and more improvement. She is getting well adjusted to her new home and all of the hardships that goes with moving. Clara can do almost everything she wants, like cooking, house cleaning, and talks and talks and talks. They didn't have to fix everything, you know.
We are both very happy and all seems to be going great. Oh, she said to let you know she has gone down from a size 12 to a size 8 and without any diet pills. She really looks good. I want all you guys to keep your distance.
My name is Gary Robey. I graduated from the class of 1957 at good ole WI.
My wife is Carol Grow Robey who also graduated from the same class.
We are in daily contact with Barbara Sutton and she was trying to send us a picture from your newsletter of Carol and her brother Ron Grow in the choir from Alta Vista Grad School and it did not come through. If you could download the photo we would appreciate it very much.
Also, we would like to subscribe to your newsletter. It comes highly recommended by Barbara.
MORE PICTURES FROM THE 1ST ANNUAL WI SUMMER PICNIC
Pictured above are Dianna Robey Tillman (WI '59), Kathie Robey Leulietter (WI '38), and Melanie Tillman (WI '82)
Also enjoying the fun at the summer picnic were Barbara Brown Musick (WI '52) in the picture on the left. Janet Ocheltree and Linda Wright Douglas (both from WI '63) pictured on the right.
Thanks again to Joy Gregorie Stalnaker, Phyllis Fittro Brown (both WI 1959) and Gary Weiner (WI 1960) for the work they did in creating this picnic. We know more will attend next year. Remember Joy, let us know the date real early so we can mark our busy
social calendar....Watch next month for more pictures.
REMEMBERING
Now it is Marion's Beauty Shop (owned by Tom Wetzel, WI '69) but when we were hanging out downtown after school this place was called "CANDYLAND".
Many of us left Clarksburg in the 60's but a piece of our hearts stayed there. We remember Clarksburg and the fun we had there. Don't you wonder what it looks like now? Well, I have asked Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI '59) to be our eyes for a tour of Clarksburg. Sharyn Cottrill McGahan (WI '59) has photography as a hobby. Each month I hope to use a current picture of a location in Clarksburg. We will see how things have changed. Some changes have been good ones, some will shock you and some things never change. Maybe some months I will let you guess what used to be in the location. Hope you like this section. Send me any suggestions as to places you would like to see and we will try to see if Sharyn can get us a picture!
You will notice that this month I ran a lot of pictures. I didn't receive many articles or printable e-mail last month. I know that minds have been on Bin Ladin and the NYTC, however, I do hope that you won't forget the newsletter. I can't write enough articles to make it interesting, I need your help. This is a newsletter that is based on the readers---not only for the readers but by the readers. Surely you have a memory that you can share with us of your life as a child or teen in Clarksburg.
We are interested. Bring us up to date on your life since school.
Some suggestions for articles are "MY HOBBY", "MY LIFE TODAY", "MEMORIES", "TEACHERS", "CLASSMATES", "FRIENDS I REMEMBER", "SPORTS", "TRIVIA" , "WALKING TO SCHOOL", "VACATION ACTIVITY", "SUMMER JOB", "MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS GIFT" or anything you can come up with!
My thanks to all who contributed this month. Many thanks to all who have sent me pictures. I have several stashed in my memory bank and will be using more of them in future months. Won't you do all of us a favor and write to Roleta1@aol.com?
